Extendable rearview mirror

ABSTRACT

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle including an extendable mirror for improved rearward viewing is disclosed. Several embodiments of the rearview mirror assembly each comprise a mirror housing, a mirror disposed in the mirror housing, and some structure to allow extension of the mirror between an inboard position and an outboard position. In one embodiment, the mirror assembly includes structure to allow rotation of the mirror between inboard and outboard positions. The mirror may comprise a post disposed in a mirror shell and extending along a longitudinal horizontal axis which extends through a plane defined by the mirror, offset from a central vertical axis of the mirror. In another embodiment, the means for rotating the mirror comprises a pivot part having a shaft disposed in an aperture in the mirror shell, which is disposed along the longitudinal horizontal axis. In yet another embodiment, the mean for extending the mirror for an inboard position to an outboard position comprises a groove in the mirror housing, in which a mirror frame is slidably disposed. The frame may be slid, relative to the mirror housing, from an inboard position to an outboard position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exterior rearview mirror assemblyfor a vehicle including a mirror which can be extended from a normalviewing position adjacent the vehicle to an outboard position forimproved rearward viewing.

Exterior rearview mirror assemblies are typically used on all motorvehicles. Adjustable or extendable exterior, side-mounted rearviewmirrors are also known in the art. Extendable mirrors provide improvedrearward viewing, for example, when the vehicle is towing a trailer,camper or other towed item. These mirror assemblies typicallyincorporate a mounting bracket which extends from an exterior panel of avehicle. In one prior art example, a rearview mirror is positioned onthe mounting bracket and can be extended to an outboard location byloosening a fastener and sliding the mirror is positioned on anextension bracket located on a mounting bracket which can be rotatedabout a vertical axis to an outboard location for improved viewing.

However, such rearview mirror assemblies have certain problems,particularly with respect to the mounting brackets. These rearviewmirror assemblies, especially those incorporating an extended mountingbracket, experience a great deal of vibration during operation of thevehicle. The mount structure used in the prior art mirrors are not ableto withstand this vibration and, therefore, display a great deal ofshaking in the mirror image during the operation of the vehicle.

Another problem in the prior art is the difficulty an operatorexperiences is adjusting the rearview mirror between an inboard andoutboard position. An operator may only wish to use the ouboard positiontemporarily, and it is important to allow easy and quick movementbetween the two positions. The prior art has not be able to successfullyprovide a extendable rearview mirror assembly that is easily movedbetween inboard and outboard positions and still able to withstand thevibration experienced by such assemblies during operation of thevehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one feature of this invention, a mirror is extended laterally outwardfrom an inboard position to an outboard position where a secondarymirror surface is exposed, thereby providing improved lateral rearwardviewing. In the inboard position, the secondary mirror surface isconcealed behind the mirror and mirror frame in a mirror housing. Themirror assembly comprises structure to allow easy movement of the mirrorand mirror frame laterally outward relative to a mirror housing from theinboard to the outboard position. The structure provides a secure amountat either position.

In other features of this invention, a mirror and at least a portion ofa mirror housing are rotatable about a longitudinal horizontal axiswhich runs through the plane of the mirror. The longitudinal horizontalaxis is offset from a central vertical axis of the mirror. Rotation ofthe mirror about the horizontal axis moves the mirror relative to thevehicle between inboard and outboard positions i.e., thereby providingimproved lateral rearward vision to the operator of the vehicle. Again,the mount structure allows easy movement and provides a secure mount.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the extendable rearviewmirror assembly includes a mirror shell having a post aligned with alongitudinal horizontal pivot axis offset from a central vertical axisof a mirror. The mirror is rotatably mounted in a mirror frame which isrotatably spring-loaded onto the post. The mirror frame is thus biasedagainst the mirror shell for improved stability. The mirror frame hasdetents defining inboard and outboard positions, which are selectivelyreceived in a notch disposed in the mirror shell. In a most preferredembodiment, the mirror shell also has a reflective surface locatedbehind the mirror and mirror frame in the inboard position, which isexposed when the mirror and mirror frame are rotated to an outboardposition.

In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the mirror assemblyincludes a mirror shell which has a slot or groove running thehorizontal length of the mirror shell. A pivot cap and pivot member aresecurely mounted onto a post which is attached to an exterior panel of avehicle. The groove of the mirror shell is received on the post. Thepivot member is rotatably spring-loaded into the mirror shell. Thespring loading of the pivot member in the mirror shell biases the mirrorshell against the post for improved vibrational stability. An operatorof the vehicle is able to quickly and easily rotate the mirror andmirror shell about a longitudinal horizontal axis defined by the centralaxis of the pivot member. The mirror and mirror shell are rotated aboutthe horizontal axis by pulling the mirror shell away from the post,thereby removing the post from the groove or slot, and rotating themirror shell 180° to an outboard position. The groove is received on thepost at this location and the spring loading biases the mirror shellagainst the post to provide stability.

In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the mirror assemblyincludes a mirror disposed in a mirror frame, which is slidable betweeninboard and outboard positions. The mirror frame is disposed in a mirrorhousing having a secondary mirror surface, which is concealed behind themirror and mirror frame in the inboard position, but exposed in theoutboard position, thereby providing improved rearward viewing. Themirror frame is disposed in a groove in the mirror housing with a platebiasing the mirror frame in the groove to provide a secure mount for themirror and mirror frame during operation of the vehicle.

These and other features of the present invention will be bestunderstood from the following specification and drawings, of which thefollowing is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rearview mirror assembly in accordancewith the invention herein;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 1 alongline 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 1 withthe mirror in an extended position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative rearview mirror assemblyin accordance with the invention herein;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the alternative mirrorassembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 5 alongline 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative rearview mirrorassembly in accordance with the invention herein;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the alternative mirrorassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 8 alongline 10-10; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 8 withthe mirror in an extended position.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of an inventive mirror which isparticularly useful in original equipment applications.

FIG. 13 shows a rear view of the FIG. 12 embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through the FIG. 12 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a novel rearview mirror assembly 20 which can berotated between an inboard position and an extended, outboard position.The outboard position provides better viewing when the vehicle ispulling a trailer, camper or other towed item. The construction of themirror assembly, particularly the mounting of the mirror and mirrorframe in the mirror housing of the mirror assembly, is secure andresists typical vibrational forces exerted on rearview mirror assembliesduring operation of the vehicle. Therefore, the rearview mirror assembly20 provides improved rearward viewing without distortion in the mirrorimage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rearview mirror assembly 20 includes anattachment member 22 for mounting a mirror shell 24 to an exterior panelof a vehicle. A mirror 26 is centrally mounted on a mirror frame 28which is received in mirror shell 24. A mounting post 30 extends along alongitudinal horizontal axis of the mirror shell 24 which is laterallyoffset from the central vertical axis C of the mirror shell 24. Themirror frame 28 is mounted on post 30 and held in place by nut 34, whichis received over and fixed to post 30. As shown, there is slightclearance between post 30 and frame 28 such that frame 28 may rotaterelative to post 30. Alternatively, the two may be fixed for commonrotation. Spring 32, with nut or retainer ring 34, biases mirror frame28 rearwardly against a plate or backing 44, which is fixed to mirrorshell 24. Mirror frame 28 includes detents 40 and 41, one of which isselectively received in a notch 42 disposed in backing 44 and the otherof which is received in notch 43. Backing 44 may preferably contain areflective mirror surface 46, which provides additional rearward viewingfor an operator of the vehicle when the mirror 26 is in the outboardposition.

In an inboard position, a lateral edge 36 of mirror 26 is disposedadjacent the vehicle, detent 41 is received in notch 42, detent 40 isreceived in notch 43, and mirror surface 46 remains unexposed behind thelateral edge 36 of mirror 26 and mirror frame 24. The mirror frame 28and mirror 26 are disposed in the mirror shell 24 such that thecircumference of the mirror frame 28 is aligned with the circumferenceof the mirror shell 24. The spring 32 biases mirror frame 28 rearwardlyagainst backing 44, thereby maintaining the mirror frame 28 and mirror26 in its inboard position and resisting vibrational forces on themirror. The mirror frame 24, and hence mirror 26, can be rotated aboutthe central axis of the post 30 to an outboard position, which is shownin phantom lines in FIG. 1, as descried below.

As shown in FIG. 3, in an outboard position, the lateral edge 36 ofmirror 26 is disposed remote from the vehicle, detent 40 is received innotch 42, detent 41 is received in notch 43, and mirror surface 46 isexposed for additional rearward viewing. The mirror 26 defines a plane.The mirror 26 and mirror frame 28 rotates about a longitudinalhorizontal axis which extends through the mirror plane, and is generallyperpendicular to the plane of the mirror. In this embodiment, thecentral axis of the post 30 defines the longitudinal horizontal axiswhich travels through the plane of the mirror about which the mirror 26rotates. Preferably, the longitudinal horizontal axis is disposed midwaybetween the central vertical axis and the outer lateral edge 38 of themirror frame.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operator of the vehicle can easily and quicklyrotate the mirror from an inboard to an outboard position for improvedrearward viewing. First, the operator of the vehicle pulls the mirrorframe 28 and mirror 26 outwardly along the longitudinal horizontal axisto move detent 41 outwardly from notch 42 and detent 40 out of notch 43.This is shown in phantom line in FIG. 2. Mirror frame 28 and mirror 26are then rotated 180° about the central axis of the post 30. The spring32 biases mirror frame 28 back rearwardly against mirror shell 24. In anoutboard position, a lateral edge 36 of the mirror 26 and mirror frame28, previously adjacent the vehicle, is disposed in a position remotefrom the vehicle. The distal or outer (in the inboard position) lateraledge of the mirror 38 is rotated 180° to a position adjacent thevehicle. Detent 40 is now disposed in notch 42, and detent 41 is nowdisposed innotch 43. At the outboard position, the mirror assembly 20provides additional rearward viewing to an operator of a vehicle bypositioning the mirror farther laterally outwardly than it was in theinboard position. This outboard position is particularly helpful whenthe operator of a vehicle is pulling a trailer, camper or other toweditem. Because of the mounting design, mirror 26 and mirror frame 28 aresecurely biased against the mirror shell 24. The mirror assembly 20 isthus able to resist the vibrational forces typically experienced by arearview mirror assembly during operation of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, an alternative rearview mirror assembly 60, whichmay be particularly useful in a heavy truck or camper-type vehicle,includes an L-shaped post 62 which has a lateral portion that attachesto the side of a vehicle 50 and a horizontal portion that attaches tothe mirror shell 66. A mirror 64 is centrally mounted on the mirrorshell 66 in any known manner. In this alternative embodiment, theoperator of the vehicle 50 is able to easily and quickly rotate theentire mirror 64 and the mirror shell 66 from an inboard position to anoutboard position (shown in phantom lines) to provide improved rearwardviewing.

As shown in FIG. 6, mirror shell 66 contains a slot or groove 68 whichruns the length of the mirror shell 66, and includes a pivot slot 70.Preferably, groove 68 is triangular in cross-section, thus providing twocontact lines, even if there is dirt on post 62 or in groove 68. Slot 70receives pivot member 72. Pivot member 72 has a shaft 74 which isaxially received in bore 76 of pivot slot 70. Pivot member 72 isrotatably mounted in pivot slot 70 by sliding shaft 74 through aperture76. Coil spring 78 and retainer ring 80 are axially received from themirror side of mirror shell 66 onto shaft 74 of pivot member 72. Pivotmember 72 also includes a channel 82 on the opposed end to shaft 74which is received on a portion of post 62. Channel 82 is aligned withgroove 68 such that post 62 is received in both. Pivot cap 84 also has achannel 86, which, together with channel 82, secures the pivot assemblyon post 62. Pivot cap 84 and pivot member 72 are securely mounted ontopost 62 with screws 88.

A pair of alternative grooves 68 a allow further rotation positions forthe mirror. When post 62 is received in grooves 68 a, the mirror willextend generally vertically, thus protecting the mirror.

As shown in FIG. 7, post 62 is disposed between pivot member 72 andpivot cap 84 in channels 82 and 86. Post 62 is also disposed in slot orgroove 68 for a substantial length of the horizontal portion of post 62.Because pivot member 72 is spring loaded onto mirror shell 66 by springwasher 78 and retainer ring 80, and pivot member 72 is securely mountedonto post 62, the mirror shell 66 is biased against post 62 with groove68 received on post 62, along the horizontal length of mirror shell 66.The biasing of mirror assembly 60 against post 62, allows the mirrorassembly to resist the vibrational forces typically experienced bymirror assemblies during operation of the vehicle.

The pivot axis of the mirror assembly 60 is aligned with the centralaxis of the pivot cap 84, pivot member 72 and pivot slot 70, whichtravels through the plane defined by mirror 64. This axis defines alongitudinal horizontal axis about which the mirror rotates and islaterally offset from the central vertical axis C (see FIG. 6) of themirror shell 66 and mirror 64. The mirror 64 and mirror shell 66 can beselectively rotated between inboard and outboard positions about thelongitudinal horizontal axis. In the inboard position of the mirrorassembly 60, a lateral edge 90 (see FIG. 5) of the mirror shell 66 isdisposed adjacent the vehicle and the post 62 is disposed in groove orslot 68. When, for example, an operator is pulling a trailer, theoperator may rotate the mirror shell 66 and mirror 64 to an outboardposition by, first, pulling the mirror shell 66 and mirror 64 along thelongitudinal horizontal axis defining the pivot axis away from post 62,thereby displacing post 62 from groove 68. Then, the mirror shell 66 andmirror 64 are rotated 180°, until post 62 is again aligned with groove68. Mirror shell 66 is then released and biased back to position themirror shell 66 against the post 62 in an outboard position.

Because the pivot axis is offset from the central vertical axis of themirror shell 66 and mirror 64, the outer edge (90 a in FIG. 5) of themirror shell 66 and mirror 64 is now disposed farther outwardly than thelateral remote edge 92 of the mirror 64 and mirror shell 66 in theinboard position. Preferably, the longitudinal horizontal axis isdisposed midway between the central vertical axis and the outer lateraledge 92 of the mirror shell 66.

As shown in FIG. 8, another alternative rearview mirror assembly 100comprises a mirror 102 disposed in a mirror frame 104 which can beextended from an inboard position to an outboard position to providesimproved lateral rearward viewing to the operator of a vehicle. Themirror assembly 100 includes a mirror housing comprising a shell 106 anda rim 108 which form a groove 110. The mirror frame 104 is disposed ingroove 110 and is slidable between an inboard position and an outboardposition (shown in phantom lines).

As shown in FIG. 9, the mirror assembly 100 also includes an attachmentmember 112 (e.g., a post) which attaches the mirror housing to anexterior panel of a vehicle. At the other end, post 112 slides intosleeve 113 disposed in mirror shell 106 and is securely attached theretoto resist the vibrational forces experienced by the mirror assembly 100during operation of the vehicle. Alternatively, the mount might extendthrough a bottom opening 113 a, depending on the vehicle. Mirrorassembly 100 also includes spring plate 120 and bracket 122 which aredisposed in mirror shell 106. Bracket 122 is received on bosses 123disposed in mirror shell 106 and over sleeve 113. Bracket 122 issecurely fixed in mirror shell 106 by tightening self-tapping screws 125into bosses 123 in mirror shell 106. Bracket 122 contains a channel 126which receives sleeve 113 and also contains posts 127, which receive andsupport spring plate 120. Plate 120 is securely attached to bracket 122by heat staking the end posts 127 in openings 129 in plate 120.

As shown in FIG. 10, the mirror frame 104 contains a detent 114 disposedin a lateral edge adjacent the vehicle which is received in a notch 116of the rim 108 when the rearview mirror assembly 100 is in the inboardposition. The detent 114 and the notch 116 are biased into the mirrorframe 104 at the inboard position and prevent the mirror frame 104 fromsliding out of the inboard position without a predetermined pullingforce being applied to the mirror frame 104. A reflective mirror surface115 is disposed in the mirror shell 106 adjacent the vehicle andconcealed behind the mirror frame 104 in an inboard position.

As shown in FIG. 11, mirror frame 104 also contains a stop 118 whichprevents the mirror frame from completely sliding out of groove 110 andhousing 106 when a pulling force is applied to the mirror frame 104.When a pulling force is applied to mirror frame 104 detent 114 rides outof notch 116 from an inboard position toward an outboard position, untilstop 118 prevents further movement of mirror frame 104. Spring plate120, which is attached to bracket 122, provides a bias force againstmirror frame 104 to provide a secure mount at either position.

It is envisioned that the inventive mirrors could be provided with andadjustment motor by having the motor push against the mirror shell,rather than the mirror plate. In such an embodiment, the mirror would bemounted to the vehicle such that movement of the entire mirror shellrelative to its mounting bracket would be affected to adjust mirrorpositioning.

Another mirror embodiment 150 as shown in FIG. 12, and is particularlyuseful in original equipment applications. The outer housing 152 has amirror surface 154 and pivots relative to an inner housing 158. A secondmirror surface 156 is provided behind the outer housing 152, such thatwhen the outer housing 152 is in its extended position the second mirrorsurface 156 is visible. The vehicle body 160 mounts the inner housing158 in any known fashion.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the mirror embodiment 150, showing the outerhousing 152 in its extended position. The inner housing 158 carries areflector 152. A second reflector 164 may be mounted on the outerhousing 152.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through the embodiment 150. As shown,the outer housing 152 may carry generally cylindrical boss 165 which ismounted in a cylindrical member 167, fixed to the housing 158. The boss165 rotates in the member 167, and defines an axis of rotation for theouter housing 152. O-rings 157 may seal between member 167 and boss 165.As in the earlier embodiments, this axis of rotation is off centerrelative to the center of the mirror 154, and thus by pivoting the outerhousing 152 once achieves the extended position as shown in FIGS. 12 and13.

A motor power pack 166 is provided which may adjust the mirror surface154 as is know. Power packs having the ability to adjust the mirrors areincorporated in may vehicles, and may be of conventional structure andfunction.

The boss 165 may be provided with gear teeth 169 at a portion of itsouter periphery. A gear 168 may be driven by a motor 170 such that thehousing 152 may be power driven between its inboard and outboardposition. Alternatively, this embodiment may also be manually movedbetween the inboard position and the outboard positions. A retainer clipand spring combination 154 are secured on an end 174 of the boss 165,and biases the boss 165 against an inner ledge 175 of the cylindricalmember 167. This thus secures the outer housing 152 within the innerhousing 158.

A preferred description of this invention has been disclosed; however, aworker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied in order to determine thetrue scope and content of this invention.

1. An extendable rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: amirror housing; a first mirror disposed in a mirror frame; a secondmirror disposed in said mirror housing; and structure for allowingmovement of said first mirror and mirror frame, relative to said mirrorhousing, from an inboard position to an outboard position; said secondmirror concealed behind said first mirror at said inboard position andexposed in said outboard position thereby providing improved lateralrearward viewing to an operator of said vehicle.
 2. The rearview mirrorassembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a means for biasingsaid mirror and mirror frame against said mirror housing in said inboardand outboard positions, thereby minimizing vibration and distortion in amirror image in said mirror.
 3. The rearview mirror assembly as recitedin claim 1, wherein said structure for allowing movement of said firstmirror and mirror frame comprises a groove in said mirror housing andsaid mirror frame being slidably disposed in said groove.
 4. Therearview mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, said structure forallowing movement of said mirror and mirror frame comprising a postdisposed in said housing along a longitudinal horizontal axis, whereinsaid mirror frame being rotatably disposed on said post, said mirrordefining a plane, and said horizontal axis extending through the planeof said mirror, offset from a central vertical axis of said mirror. 5.An extendable rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising: amirror housing; a mirror disposed in said mirror housing, said mirrordefining a plane; and structure for allowing rotation of said mirrorabout a longitudinal horizontal axis which extends perpendicularlythrough the plane of said mirror.
 6. The rearview mirror assembly asrecited in claim 5, further comprising a means for biasing said mirroragainst said mirror housing to lock said mirror at said inboard andoutboard positions.
 7. The rearview mirror assembly as recited in claim6, wherein said mirror rotates between inboard and outboard positionsare disposed 180° apart from each other around said horizontal axis. 8.The rearview mirror assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein saidhorizontal axis is disposed between a central vertical axis and alateral outer edge of said mirror shell.
 9. An extendable rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a mirror housing comprising ashell and a rim forming therebetween a groove; a first mirror disposedin a mirror frame, said mirror frame disposed in said groove andslidable between an inboard position and an outboard position; a secondmirror disposed in said mirror housing; and a means for biasing saidmirror frame and first mirror against said mirror housing; said secondmirror concealed behind said first mirror when said mirror frame is insaid inboard position and exposed when said mirror frame is in saidoutboard position thereby providing improved lateral rearward viewing toan operator of said vehicle.
 10. The rearview mirror assembly as recitedin claim 9, said biasing means comprising a bracket disposed in saidhousing adjacent and behind said mirror frame and first mirror, whereinsaid bracket applies a force against said mirror frame to bias saidmirror frame in said groove.
 11. The rearview mirror assembly as recitedin claim 9, said mirror frame having a detent along the lateral edgethereof adjacent the vehicle and said rim having a slot along thelateral edge thereof adjacent the vehicle, wherein, in said inboardposition, said detent is received in said slot, thereby biasing saidmirror assembly in said inboard position.
 12. The rearview mirrorassembly as recited in claim 11, said mirror frame further comprising astop disposed on a rear face thereof remote from said first mirror,wherein said stop prevents said mirror frame from sliding out of saidgroove past said outboard position.